Intel’s first Iris Xe desktop GPUs are here

Intel is today releasing its first Iris Xe desktop graphics cards. These new desktop GPUs, initially codenamed “DG1,” are mainly targeted at small to medium-sized enterprises and mainstream desktop PCs. Intel is teaming up with Asus and other partners to sell these cards to system integrators who will package them with prebuilt devices.

These desktop GPUs are not really designed for games, much like the Iris Xe Max graphics cards that debuted back in October. With better graphics, multi-display support, and enhanced hardware acceleration for some codecs, Intel is selling them as a way to boost what is offered on mainstream desktop PCs.

Alongside HDR support and AI features, the cards also have three 4K display outputs for multiple monitors. They will also support AV1 content decoding and ship with 4GB of video memory and 80 execution units. Intel also provides Adaptive-Sync support, so with these cards, you’ll get a far better experience with higher refresh rate displays.

Although these initial cards are not meant to compete with Nvidia and AMD cards, Intel is also working on its Xe-HPG architecture. This promises to concentrate on high-performance gaming tasks, and later this year it could usher in an era of Intel competing with both AMD and Nvidia.

The Iris Xe is not the first attempt at a desktop GPU by Intel, either. Ten years ago, Intel terminated its Larrabee project and also released its Intel i740 series all the way back in 1998. This is the first time we’ve seen Intel announce a desktop GPU in 20 years, but you’ll have to wait a little while to see if Intel can really take over Nvidia and AMD.